Antigone

tragedy

imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewer

tragic hero

a character, high birth, neutral in morals, whose downfall is brought about by some weakness or error in judgment

hamarita

a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgement, which causes the downfall of the hero

hubris

arrogance/pride which causes the hero’s transgression against the gods, usually the tragic flaw

anagnorisis

recognition on the part of the hero, change from ignorance to knowledge

peripeteia

reversal of fortune

nemesis

fate that cannot be escaped

catharsis

purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated

religious festival in honor of dionysus

• city (religious festival in spring)

• dithyramb, hymn to honor the gods

• chorus, 50 people who sing and dance

thespis

• father of drama

• 6th century BC

• won prize for tragedy in 535 BC

• Introduced first actor and dialouge

aeschylus

• 525-426 BC

• added 2nd actor

• wrote trilogies on ununified themes

sophocles

• 490-406 BC

• added third actor

• fixed number of chorus to 15

• introduced painted scenery

• made each play of trilogy separate to nature

euripides

• 486-406 BC

• reduced participation of chorus in main action

• relied on heavy prologues and deus ex machina ending

theatron

seeing place for audience

orchestra

circle where actors and chorus perform

Thymele

altar for dionysus, center of orchestra

skene

dressing room

proskenion

backdrop and facade of skene building

parodos

entrance to theater by chorus

hypocrites

answer and play roles

actors and acting

• actor and dramatist originally the same and playwright took leading role

• never had more than three changed characters

• males played female roles

protagonist

leading character

deuteragonist

2nd most important character, companion of main character

tritagonist

third most important character, additional support

costumes and masks

• long, flowing robes, colors = symbols

• high boots and raised soles

• large masks made of linen, wood, cork

  • showed age, gender, emotion

  • exaggerated features, large eyes, and open mouth

function of chorus

• set overall mood and express theme

• adds beauty (theatrical effectiveness) through song and dance

• gives background info

• divides actions and offers reflections on events

• questions, advices, expresses opinion through chorus leader (Choragos)

unities

• action, simple plot

• time, single day

• place, one scene throughout

messenger

• tells news happening away from scene

• reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen

limitations of theater

• continues presence of chorus

• no intermissions, flow of action and choral odes

• no lighting, no curtains

exposition

brothers die, polynices unburied, antigone decides to defy him

rising action

antigone buries polyneices, caught, argues with creon, sentenced death despite haemons pleas and tiresias warning

climax

creon relents, antigone commits, haemon dies in grief

falling action

eurydice dies

resolution

creon is in despair, realizing tragic consequences of his pride.

main theme

conflict between divine and human law

key theme

fate vs free will

another key theme

pride and power